Social Networking, is there an educational value?
It depends on how it is used, but in general yes, there is an educational value to the networking aspect of social networking. Humans are social creatures, we learn together. Social networking is just another digital took that can help facilitate Vygotsky's social constructivism. I can say this with absolute confidence, social networking is good for students and adults. In the last 10 years I have been connected with social networks like MySpace, facebook, twitter, Google+, edmodo, and LINKEDin. Each was for a different purpose and that purpose is what has shaped my view on this topic.
Twitter, was an exciting network to join. I joined it for the purpose of developing a PLN (professional learning network). I was extremely active there for almost a year before my interest faded. My purpose for joining Google+ was interest based, to make connections based on different interests. I am still extremely active there with 3 or 4 different interest bases, including my education circles. I learn new things from the people I follow there everyday. Edmodo is the network I want to talk about though. Teachers can create their own PLNs but students can network and communicate with each other in a restricted and controllable system. They can share ideas and have digital conversations. The network enables that conversation to take place anywhere anytime, and allows for processing and thinking opportunities for the students. Some of the most powerful learning opportunities I have seen in my school have been part of student to student conversations. The networking system is supplemented by the social media that is omnipresent in the networking environment, but that is not the only learning tool that is associated with social networking. Social networking is not only something that can stimulate learning, it is a tool that should not be ignored in a learning setting.
Thanks for the info and endorsement of Edmodo. Several people have mentioned it, and it's definitely something I'm going to look into. It's interesting, too, to read about how you've moved through some different social networking sites and found what you like and don't like about each.
ReplyDeleteIt was blocked in PWCS until last year, I have been able to get a few teachers engaging with it. Unfortunately, very few are using the networking capabilities at this point.
DeleteI love how you shared all of the different social networks you are a part of and your reasons for joining them. It's interesting to me because to some people it might look like you joined for more of a "fun/social" reason, but I can see that there was a lot of educational value to it...it just happened to be topics that you are also genuinely interested in. I think it's neat for kids to see social media being used by adults in these ways. You can still benefit from the social piece of the network, but also learn new things at the same time, which are all the more reasons to use them. This just makes more of a case as to why it is our job as teachers to educate kids about what they can take away from social networks and all that they offer.
ReplyDeleteMySpace was the only networking site I joined for a 'fun' reason, the rest were for a purpose. Once that purpose ran its course my activity waned and my used faded. I do still log into twitter from time to time, but nothing like I used to. I should though, twitter is one of the best PLNs out there. Overwhelming amounts of resources and support. If you use twitter a few of the best resources I have found are Obe Hostetter @itrt, Toby Price @jedipadmaster, and Jerry Blumengarten @cybraryman1
DeleteKevin I second the shout out about Edmodo. how neat that you actually have students using it and collaborating with it. It's especially hard to construct opportunities for young children to have educational discussions but you've found a great tool that affords just that. Also interesting that you brough social constructivism into it. Well said.
ReplyDeleteEdmodo is a great tool that afford these uses, unfortunately I have not been able to get a wide number of my teachers to see the benefits.
DeleteKevin, thank you so much for the reminder about Twitter. I still thinking about social-networking and the math classroom. My students have a Facebook page for my classes, but it is private and I have not been invited. I cannot help but wonder why?! :)
ReplyDelete